How to Pick the Right Barber Academy Near Auburn Alabama
Now that you have made a decision to attend a barber school near Auburn AL, the task starts to find and enroll in the right school. It's imperative that the school you select not only provides the necessary instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you start your initial search, you may be rather confused about the contrast between beauty schools and cosmetology schools, which both may offer barbering programs. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both relate to the same kind of school. We'll talk a little bit more concerning that in the following section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Auburn residence. Tuition will likewise be a critical consideration when assessing possible barber schools. Just remember that because a school is the closest or the least expensive it's not always the best choice. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask about the barber colleges you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let's discuss a little bit about what barbering is and why you may want to become a barber.
Why Choose Barbering?
Barbering is an art form, according to many, so it’s no surprise that individuals interested in becoming a barber must become authorities before they can command a barber’s chair. And one of the best and most effective ways to do so is through a comprehensive educational program. Since the early 1880s, barbering has been a tradition among men. Visiting the barber shop was often a weekly occasion, where a shave and a cut, and a little socialization among friends, were as popular as a trip to the local saloon. The barber experience still lives on, and many say it is even making a comeback as men realize the value of a great cut and a close shave. Today’s barbers must be able to deliver the highest quality services to their clients, services that cannot be found at a local mall hair salon or a unisex discount salon. Therefore, a solid education, complete with plenty of hands-on training, is a must. It is also a must for licensure, a requirement in every state. Although some states do recognize an apprenticeship as a route to licensure, all states recognize an accredited program.
What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Auburn AL home, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Auburn AL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Auburn AL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Alabama school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Auburn AL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Auburn AL barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she gets help in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with area employers that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Auburn AL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an option until you find out what financial help may be available in Auburn AL.
How to Choose a Barber College in Auburn
Enroll in the Best Auburn Barber College
Choosing and enrolling in the ideal barber training program is imperative to get the proper training to become a licensed specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require so as to feel certain about your decision. Don't forget to compile all of the information you get from the barber school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then utilize that information to compare schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence procedure is to make sure that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the field. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions provided in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. And when you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be self-assured that you are qualified to begin your new career as a professional barber in Auburn Alabama.